Nicky Hayden experiences the Isle of Man TT 2011

Dainese’s Nicky Hayden took time out in between MotoGP rounds to visit the Isle of Man TT and experience the world-famous road race. Hayden arrived on Tuesday evening after racing in Barcelona at the weekend and enjoyed a warm Manx welcome dinner with other VIP guests, including five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan.
 
On Wednesday morning Hayden experienced a closed-road parade lap of the TT course aboard a road-going Ducati 1198. He was joined by Doohan, five-time 2010 TT winner Ian Hutchinson, MotoGP’s Cal Crutchlow and BSB star Josh Brookes - all of whom rode the course behind a TT travelling marshal, waving at the crowds that lined the roadside as they passed by.
 
Following the parade lap, Hayden waved the flag to mark the start of the Monster Energy Supersport race two before heading to a private garden at Bray Hill to watch the action unfold. Unfortunately the race was red flagged after two laps due to persist ent rain at various points of the course. Following a decision from race control, Wednesdays races were cancelled and the day’s schedule moved to Thursday (9 June).
 
After a VIP lunch, Hayden visited the temporary Dainese store at the grandstand where he attracted the crowds with a fan meet and greet. He then attended an autograph signing for his helmet sponsor alongside Doohan, Crutchlow and Hutchinson as the fans gathered to meet their motorcycling heroes.
 
After a eventful day at the TT, Hayden left the Isle of Man and headed straight to Silverstone for this weekend's British MotoGP.
 
Nicky Hayden: “That lap was pretty awesome. We weren’t going fast but the speed we were doing while waving at the crowds was pretty fast! I really enjoyed my lap and seeing another form of racing, these boys are hard as nails. It was a real shame about the weather, but maybe I can come back another year an d see some racing.”